Dustin Johnson Named Player of the Year

wltx10:00 PM. EDT October 11, 2016

Dustin Johnson poses with the championship trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Johnson had a career-high three wins in 2016. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire)

Dustin Johnson was rightfully named PGA Tour Player of the Year on Tuesday for the 2015-16 PGA Tour season after winning the U.S. Open, Bridgestone Invitational and BMW Championship, and finishing No. 1 on the PGA Tour money list over $1 million ahead of Jason Day.

"On behalf of the PGA Tour, my congratulations to Dustin Johnson for his outstanding play on big stages during the 2015-16 season," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

"His hard work on the golf course and in the gym paid off with the finest season of his career, and the member vote reflects the respect his peers have for him."

Johnson, who was the obvious choice here, was voted the winner by his peers. All golfers who played at least 15 PGA Tour events last year were eligible to vote.

"I don't even know if I ever dreamed this would be happening," said Johnson on Tuesday.

"Obviously, it was a great season. I worked hard on all parts of my game, and I'm going to continue to do that. I've got a lot of confidence in the game right now. There's nothing I don't feel good with. Hopefully next year I can play up to the way I played this year. And hopefully, I can have a better year."

The only other true candidates this season were Day (who hasn't won since The Players Championship in May), Adam Scott (who hasn't won since March) and Rory McIlroy (who did not win a major championship and missed the cut in two of them).

Johnson, who admitted he did not vote for himself and abstained from voting at all on the award, won three events in the same season for the first time in his career in 2016. He is currently tied for 81st all time in total PGA Tour wins with 12.